outsmarts
Wins through cunning
Outsmarts means to defeat someone by being cleverer than they are.
The word suggests tactical thinking or cunning rather than brute force: The detective outsmarted the criminal at every turn.
It implies a contest of wits where one party gains advantage through superior intelligence or strategy.
One who competes against
- opponentOne who contends against
- adversaryEnemy in conflict
- nemesisPersistent source of ruin
- competitorOne striving against others
foe · challenger · enemy · contest · showdown · matchup · underdog · upset
Showing mental quickness
- slyCleverly deceptive
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- astuteMentally sharp, discerning
wily · crafty · scheming · guile · artful · foxy · tricky · manipulative
Methods to achieve goals
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
outmaneuver · outflank · outwit · outplay · feint · ruse · stratagem · deception
Person of rare brilliance
- brilliantIntensely bright or gifted
- cleverShowing mental quickness
- quick-wittedFast at thinking
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
brainy · intellectual · resourceful · ingenious · inventive · perceptive · insightful · bright
Defeating an opponent
- bestedOvercame in a contest
- defeatedOvercome in contest
- conqueredDefeated and took control
- overcameDefeated or mastered
thwarted · foiled · humiliated · embarrassed · checkmated · trumped · upstaged · beaten
rival
One who competes against
competitor · foe · challenger · enemy · contest · showdown · matchup · underdog · upset · defeat
clever
Showing mental quickness
astute · wily · crafty · scheming · guile · artful · foxy · tricky · manipulative · calculating
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- ployCalculated deceptive tactic
gambit · outmaneuver · outflank · outwit · outplay · feint · ruse · stratagem · deception · trap
genius
Person of rare brilliance
- brilliantIntensely bright or gifted
- cleverShowing mental quickness
- quick-wittedFast at thinking
sharp · brainy · intellectual · resourceful · ingenious · inventive · perceptive · insightful · bright · acumen
victory
Defeating an opponent
overcame · thwarted · foiled · humiliated · embarrassed · checkmated · trumped · upstaged · beaten · duped
outsmartsoverpowers
Defeats through greater strength
brute-forces · strong-arms · outmuscles · bulldozes · muscles
outsmartsbungles
Mishandles through clumsiness
blunders · miscalculates · underestimates · overplays one's hand · fumbles